Interaction and silence in the classroom

This study focuses on the modes of interaction that are being established in a classroom. We discuss specifically the case of children that do not speak to adults. Aided by the theories of enunciation, by Bakhtin's dialogism and by Discourse Analysis, we examine some theoretical alternatives to study interaction and silence. The study of events related to silence, conceived as moments of interaction, leads us to explore the relationship between these terms and to consider their implications for teacher's work in the classroom.Este trabalho enfoca a interação social na sala de aula e analisa uma situação particular: a das crianças que não falam com os adultos. Com o auxílio das teorias enunciativas, do dialogismo de Bakhtin e da Análise do Discurso, examina algumas alternativas teóricas para a compreensão do silêncio como momento de interação.556